290.

Oliver Cromwell to William Lenthall, Speaker of the House of Commons (June 14, 1645)

Sir:

Beinge commanded by you to this service, I thinke myselfe bound to acquaint you with the good hand of God towards you and us. Wee marched yesterday after the Kinge, whoe went before us from Daventree to Haverbrowe, and quartered about six miles from him. This day wee marched towards him. Hee drew out to meete us. Both Armies engaged. Wee, after three howers fight, very doubtfull, att last routed his Armie, killed and tooke about five thousand, very many officers, but of what quallitye wee yet know not. Wee tooke alsoe about two hundred carrages, all hee had, and all his gunnes, being twelve in number, whereof two were demie-cannon, two demie-culveringes, and, I thinke, the rest sacers. Wee persued the enimie from three miles short of Haverbrowe to nine beyond, even to sight of Leicester, whither the Kinge fled.

Lord Fair-fax’s services

Sir, this is non other but the hand of God, and to him alone belongs the glorie wher in none are to share with him. The Generall has served you with all faythfullness and honor, and the best commendations I can give him is that I dare say hee attributes all to God and would rather perish than assume to himselfe; which is an honest and a thrivinge way, and yett as much for bravery may bee given to him in this action as to a man. Honest men served you faythfully in this action. Sir, they are trusty. I beseech you in the name of God not to discourage them. I wish this action may begett thankfulnesse and humilitye in all that are concerned in itt. Hee that venters his life for the libertye of his countrie, I wish hee trust God for the libertye of his conscience and you for the liberty hee fights for. In this hee rests, whoe is

your most humble servant,

OLIVER CROMWELL.